The LCK’s league entity and the Korea e-Sports Association (hereafter, the association) officially announced on Friday the list of 31 individuals recognized as eligible to serve as LCK Certified Agents for the 2025–2026 cycle.

The LCK Certified Agent program, launched in 2022, is a system that selects and manages agents with professional capabilities to support smooth contract negotiations and execution for League of Legends esports players.

Unlike last year, this year’s certification required a two-step process. Candidates first underwent a qualifications review in May, and those who subsequently passed the certification exam held on Monday, August 11 were granted agent status.

The certification exam was designed to strengthen agent professionalism and differentiation while testing essential knowledge for protecting player rights and conducting representation. The test consisted of three subjects spanning seven areas:

• LCK Certified Agent Rulebook

• Standard Agent Agreement

• LCK League Rulebook

• Standard Contract for Esports Players

• Contract Law

• National Sports Promotion Act

• Sports Ethics

Candidates needed a score of 60 or higher in each subject to pass. Of 48 examinees this year, 20 passed, for a pass rate of roughly 42%.

The 31 LCK Certified Agents authorized to operate from the 2025 list announcement until the 2026 list announcement comprise 6 previously certified agents and 25 newly certified agents. Of these, 5 are lineal-ascendant agents (e.g., parents). The full roster is available on the official website.

Newly certified agents this year may serve for up to two years. After one year, they can extend their activity period by one additional year by paying the annual fee; once the two-year validity expires, they must requalify through the same procedures as new applicants.

This year also saw the launch of the LCK Certified Agent Misconduct Reporting Center. Operated for cross-reporting of misconduct among LCK team front offices, players, coaching staff, and agents, its primary reportable categories include:

• Activities by unqualified individuals

• Contract-related violations, such as side letters

• Tampering

The association plans to reinforce fairness and effectiveness by working in conjunction with the Sports Fairness Committee.

LCK Certified Agents act on behalf of LCK and LCK CL (LCK Challengers League) players and coaching staff to conduct contract negotiations and salary negotiations (single designee), and they also handle the negotiation and execution of other commercial agreements. This allows players to leverage specialist support in marketing and negotiations and focus solely on competition. For its part, the league protects the rights of players and teams and works to sustain a stable esports ecosystem by actively intervening in and sanctioning agent-related violations or disputes. The system is operated by the Korea e-Sports Association as the esports governing body, while the LCK league entity exercises supervisory oversight.

This article was translated from the original that appeared on INVEN.